CHAPTER 378: CHAPTER 338: WAITING FOR A RESULT

Yu Wenye said, "A person like elder brother in times of chaos is more than just surviving."

Shen Wuzheng replied, "Yes."

As he spoke, his gaze swept over Shang Ruyi’s still somewhat pale face, which hadn’t completely shaken off its sickly appearance. His eyes grew heavier, and then he said to Yu Wenye, "Survivng is only a prerequisite. I don’t just want to survive; there are many things I want to do. One of them is—I want the people around me to live better, without harm."

Yu Wenye looked at him, and after a while said, "You will."

At least, from the fact that to avoid meeting Duke Sheng empty-handed, he dared to come alone to Wanggang Village and managed to kill two people without shedding any blood, one could see a glimpse of his character.

The two of them engaged in this seemingly redundant and inexplicable conversation, while Shang Ruyi sat quietly on the side, feeling a bit indescribable inside. Just now, Yu Wenye had mentioned—treasures move people’s hearts, human greed is never satisfied. Although just ten short words, they perfectly described this brutal and cold-blooded massacre, even making one’s heart shudder.

These two men before her—they understand human nature.

She remained silent for a moment and then asked, "Well, with two people already dead, why are you still staying here, brother?"

Shen Wuzheng replied, "I am waiting for another result."

Shang Ruyi was taken aback, "What result?"

Yu Wenye, on the side, spoke heavily, "If I’m not mistaken, the two maps Li Wen Yang obtained don’t show the complete picture. He has no way to find the so-called Left General’s Tomb with just those two maps, right?"

Shen Wuzheng nodded.

Shang Ruyi thought for a moment and immediately understood, "He initially believed that with the two maps he could find the treasure of the Left General’s Tomb, but things went against his wishes. Yet by this time, he had already killed his own brother, so what happens next—"

Shen Wuzheng said, "Wanggang Village has strict rules. Self-slaughter among brothers is considered akin to betrayal, and will be severely punished. Therefore, after Li Wen Yang killed Wu Qian and his men, he now faces only two choices. One is to leave Wanggang Village and flee."

"..."

"However, he’s alone, with only two useless maps, actually has nowhere to go. Besides, he’ll have to face the pursuit of Wanggang Village, and possibly, other forces will come to besiege him once they know he holds the map of the Left General’s Tomb. His chance of survival is slim."

"..."

"The other choice is—"

Yu Wenye said, "Return to Wanggang Village, and offer the map to Wang Quyi to redeem his fault."

Shang Ruyi immediately said, "You mentioned before that Wang Quyi is a very greedy person. With such a possibility of discovering a great treasure, even the lives of brothers might not be that important to him."

Yu Wenye nodded.

Shen Wuzheng glanced at both of them, his gaze flickering, "It seems you came here also trying to take advantage of him?"

"Not just him, but also Xiao Yuansui,"

Yu Wenye said, "Elder brother, you didn’t use anything else to provoke them into mutual destruction, but precisely used the map of the Left General’s Tomb; it seems you had planned it long ago."

"..."

"If Wang Quyi is truly tempted by the possible treasures hidden in the Left General’s Tomb, but those two maps can’t lead him directly to the treasure site, then he will undoubtedly suspect Xiao Yuansui, who followed Zuo Heng at the time. Moreover, now Xiao Yuansui and Liang Shide have joined forces to take Luoyang, almost freeing themselves from Wanggang Village’s control, and might even grow stronger enough to threaten them. He must knock Xiao Yuansui down a peg."

"..."

"The final thunder, no matter what, must fall on Xiao Yuansui’s head."

Shen Wuzheng nodded in agreement.

Yu Wenye said, "So, what you are waiting for here is—"

Shen Wuzheng replied, "Li Wen Yang has been in the mountains for more than an hour, and now, things should have already been presented before Wang Quyi."

"..."

"If Wang Quyi acts justly according to the law, then in a short while, the Broken Soul Drum should sound in the mountains, which is the drumbeat for executing traitors in Wanggang Village; if it doesn’t, then Wang Quyi is tempted by the treasures in the Left General’s Tomb. He will send people immediately down the mountain to the Eastern Capital and bring Xiao Yuansui back to inquire about the whereabouts of the Left General’s Tomb."

"..."

"What I’m waiting for is either the drum sound or hoofbeats."

As his words fell, the three of them fell quiet.

A gust of wind, carrying a hint of killing intent, brushed past their ears, yet after the wind passed, the surroundings remained as quiet as before.

Perhaps, there are still entanglements inside Wanggang Village.

Shen Wuzheng smiled and said, "It seems that to wait for the desired result, we still need a bit of patience."

Just at this moment, footsteps sounded outside the pavilion. Turning their heads to look, it was Tushere, holding several packs of pastries, precisely the ones she casually purchased after they had tea at the stall before, originally intended for Shang Ruyi. Seeing that they had been chatting in the pavilion for a long time, she brought the pastries over.

She said, "Miss, young gentleman, master, have some food."

Shang Ruyi smiled and said, "You are truly meticulous."

Tushere replied, "I am worried about your health, miss—"

Before she could finish her sentence, Shang Ruyi frowned slightly at her. Tushere immediately obediently closed her mouth, and Shen Wuzheng watched them without saying much.

The air carried a somewhat unusual silence.

Tushere came over and set the pastries down, then said to Shen Wuzheng, "Young gentleman, you have finally returned; I am really happy to see you. The master and madam—"

Shen Wuzheng said warmly, "Don’t worry, everything is fine. Have you been serving Ru Yi well?"

Tushere’s tongue stiffened, "I—"

Shang Ruyi immediately said, "She’er has been very diligent, you can rest assured, brother."

After saying that, she waved her hand, "You may go now."

Tushere dared not speak further and quickly turned to leave.

Watching her back, Shang Ruyi’s expression showed a hint of anxiety. Although she knew, the things she had done, even the things she had experienced, couldn’t be hidden from Shen Wuzheng, delaying his understanding would be better, however slightly.

At least now, they still had matters before them that required their utmost effort.

At this point, Shang Ruyi thought of another matter, so she raised her head to look at Shen Wuzheng and asked, "By the way brother, do you really have a map of the Left General’s Tomb?"

Shen Wuzheng said, "That’s just something I sketched casually."

"Ah!"

Shang Ruyi was stunned, but then saw Shen Wuzheng looking at her with a smile, "If I had it, it wouldn’t be considered empty-handed when meeting Duke Sheng, nor would I challenge Wanggang Village by myself."

"..."

Shang Ruyi suddenly understood, feeling a bit embarrassed, she smiled.

Shen Wuzheng laughed, "Silly girl."

Yu Wenye, on the side, had a subtle change in his eyes, and he suddenly said, "There’s a sound!"

Shang Ruyi and Shen Wuzheng immediately raised their heads and looked up the mountain.

Is it the sound of drums, or hoofbeats?